Early career digest

“A career in optometry can take you in many different directions”

Henry Leonard, head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP, shares his top tips for newly-qualified practitioners

2 min read

An illustration in grayscale on an orange background of a person climbing an arrow that points upwards in stages. On each plateau is a stack of books.

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Henry Leonard BSc (Hons) MCOptom

08 December 2025

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After all those years of studying, observations, assessments, and more, qualifying as an optometrist is an incredible achievement and can feel like the light at the end of the tunnel.

But it is of course only the beginning of the journey ahead, and hitting that milestone moment can bring with it the tension of standing on your own two feet as a fully-qualified optometrist.

Henry Leonard, head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP, shared his top tips for newly-qualified practitioners.

1 Ask for help

As a fully-qualified optometrist, you’re ultimately responsible for the eye care of every patient you examine, but that doesn’t mean you’re expected to know everything, and you can still ask for help when you need it. There’s no short-cut to gaining experience, so don’t be afraid to ask more experienced colleagues for their advice if you’re not sure what to do.

2 Take a step back

When patients present with unusual symptoms, it’s tempting to jump straight in and carry out specific tests to investigate those concerns, but this can quickly lead you down the wrong path. If you find yourself flummoxed by the patient in front of you, try going back to basics, and carry out a full sight test instead. In many cases, taking a step back will help you see the bigger picture, allowing you to manage the patient appropriately and confidently.

3 Consider staying put, at least for a while

The relatively high wages associated with locum work can be tempting for newly-qualified practitioners, but working in a different location every day can be challenging for someone who has only just qualified. You may wish to consider gaining some experience in a familiar setting, before embarking on locum work.

4 Adopt an appropriate threshold for referral

Knowing when to refer patients comes down to both knowledge and experience. Don’t worry if you find yourself referring patients more often than experienced colleagues (this is to be expected when you’re newly-qualified) but also don’t be afraid to ask for advice if you need it.

5 Make the most of every opportunity

A career in optometry can take you in many different directions, and it’s worth trying different modes of practice to find out where your interests lie – you might just discover an area of practice which you hadn’t previously considered.

Find more careers advice for early career optometrists on the AOP website.